Hi! Next week I am going to test drive a 97 Tacoma. It has been in the desert it’s whole life with 4 different owners. This will be my first Toyota 4x4 truck. Currently own a camry. I’ve read that these trucks have a problem with rust so I will make sure to look for that. I have attached a picture of the engine. To me it looks like there might be some leaks near the caps or possibly a valve cover leak.

Anything advice or tips for things to look for while test driving would be appreciated.

 

None of those areas circled are really too much of a concern.

the frame rust/rot issue will be in the rear of the truck. Starting at the front corner of the bed on the drivers side on the inward facing side of the frame box, near the fuel tank, and up the jump over the rear axle.

 

If the price is right you won't be disappointed with a Tacoma with only 140K on the clock. Treat it right you can watch it turn over 300K with ease.

 

So I think it’s a good deal. The guy has been out of town so I couldn’t look at it this weekend. Hopefully next.

But from a free vin search I found:
1st owner- had it 5 years drove it roughly 12k mi a yr
2nd own- had it 14 years roughly 3k miles a year (seems strangely low)
3rd own- had it 1 year drove 8k/yr
4th owner- had 1 year drove 2k/yr
5th owner had it 2 years drove 5k/yr

It’s currently priced at $7500, and it doesn’t have emissions but I live where emissions are required.

 

I haven't been in the market for a long time, and the market varies widely regionally, but that price seems a little high to me. I bought my 98 TRD with 189,000 in 2015 for $7,000. I'm the third owner, and the truck, while not immaculate, was in excellent condition. Mechanically, cosmetically, everything. Very nice condition.

Like I said I haven't been looking, but I'm in the market for a new work truck and one of my board members has been looking at craigslist and sent me two links for decent "looking" trucks with 200,000 + miles, both asking just of $3,000.

I have a friend here who bought a plane ticket to AZ to buy a 4x4 Tundra, because including the plane ticket and travel expenses, he could still get a 4x4 Tundra for cheaper down there than up here. This is a common strategy up here. Go south where 4x4s are cheaper. So the fact that the truck your looking at seems expensive by MT standards makes me think it is overpriced. But of course like anything, it's worth whatever someone is willing to pay for it.

Rust isn't a concern in your area.